Car industry prepares for Ford Australia exit

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by Nikked

It would be better if ford forumers didn't put up articals by clueless "Journos"...

Its news, its out there and its being discussed whether we want to on the forums or not. While we would love to just talk this up with the positives, its hard to ignore what is being discussed on the outside, good or bad.

There is a difference in just general and ill informed "Ford is crap/dead" statements that appear through the forums at times and having a discussion on what the media, journos are saying in the public domain.

Just no use really sitting with fingers in out ears going "La la la ....... " If it is being repeated out there, no reason to not having a grown up discussion on the matter.

[mik]

Originally Posted by roberts

if you get rid of the phone and laptop, the worlds not that diffrent. Just humans trying to make a living, wanting to love, wanting a family.
Now we have a carbon tax, the way inwhich is designed is to make everything more expensive so people have no other choice but to make cut backs, this is how it works so save the enviroment, instead of buying a new car every 2 years you might keep it for 10, as a result 5 less cars are made per person per buying cycle, less carbon in the air.
For this I think the carbon tax is a great idea, but it should of been deliveried in the 60s and 70s, in steed of letting the greed mentality from the 80s and 90s become so great that people will struggle to adjust with the brand new life style (living standards from the 60s and 70s) somewhere in there we become americanised, but how can we compete with a country that has 15 trillion debt and contantly messes with the "free"maket, the 2 person income large house and large cars was never the australian dream, with a carbon tax you can only achieve this dream when you sleep.

i too think it`s flawed plan , all it will do is stop people buying the now more expensive australian good s and services, stifle manufacturing because as you say everything will be more expensive, business that are labor /energy intensive and can`t change things will either pass the cost on and the status quo will stay the same, or.....they will close up shop/ or move over sea`s, what i believe is there is more to come, this is just the watered down Carbon Tax so that anger is`nt quite so bad, well see if the powers that be are still calling the shots in a couple of years to add the rest.

[Pandemic]

If vehicle prices were similar to international car markets such as the US, then I'd buy a Ford vehicle in a heart beat, but it's good to see Ford PR getting amongst the community..

[jpd80]

Everyone is talking about 2016 like its some type of apocalypse but isn't that what's happening at the moment?

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Pandemic

it's good to see Ford PR getting amongst the community..

She turns up from time to time, but I doubt whether any of the queries will be answered. It would be good if a moderated thread could be started to have a Q&A session with Ford about some 'topical issues'...obviously it would need to be heavily moderated to keep it civil, relevant and to keep all the haters and snapperheads out, but its been done before. The late great Geoff Polities had a Q&A with us once.

Originally Posted by jpd80

Everyone is talking about 2016 like its some type of apocalypse but isn't that what's happening at the moment?

The carpocalpyse is occurring at the moment, yes. Muppets who keep crapping on about 2016 really don't know what they are on about. Refer to Flappist's post earlier.

[dimka100]

In 1 week the sales numbers for July will be released ... I wonder what will people be screaming then if the number are not so positive, or vise versa if the numbers are actually positive ...

What really amazes me is how Ford PR department just has absolutely no response to anything that is happening in the media ... i mean seriously do they really think they are above all that?

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

She turns up from time to time, but I doubt whether any of the queries will be answered.

Not when you get ********* showing disrespect, no. Like a comment on the previous page.

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Muppets who keep crapping on about 2016 really don't know what they are on about.

I hope you mean journalists and not forum members. Ford been a local manufacturer here since roughly 1925. People want to know if they will continue to do so.

These theories and conjectures are thrown about when Ford blacks out the windows and tells no one what they're doing.

Originally Posted by Auslandau

Its news, its out there and its being discussed whether we want to on the forums or not. While we would love to just talk this up with the positives, its hard to ignore what is being discussed on the outside, good or bad.

There is a difference in just general and ill informed "Ford is crap/dead" statements that appear through the forums at times and having a discussion on what the media, journos are saying in the public domain.

Just no use really sitting with fingers in out ears going "La la la ....... " If it is being repeated out there, no reason to not having a grown up discussion on the matter.

Quite. The forums have never been a sanctuary against opposing opinions, and controversial comments. Why start now?

[krypto71]

Rewind the clock and replace Mitsubishi with Ford. I guess there is still time for the AUD to go down the toilet and save the Falcon!

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=48218

[Pandemic]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

The late great Geoff Polities had a Q&A with us once.

That would've been a great experience.

Hopefully Ford PA would eventually do a Q&A, it'd be very interesting.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

These theories and conjectures are thrown about when Ford blacks out the windows and tells no one what they're doing.

when has a big company like ford ever come out and sad what theyre plans are 4-5 years in the future?
in this current economic climate we are lucky theyre saying what they are doing until 2016

Quite. The forums have never been a sanctuary against opposing opinions, and controversial comments. Why start now?

[flooded one]

alot can happen in four years. people could get sick of small cars and the australian dollar could plumet. or the government might increase tarrifs?? stranger things have happen.

[BroadyFord]

Originally Posted by krypto71

Rewind the clock and replace Mitsubishi with Ford. I guess there is still time for the AUD to go down the toilet and save the Falcon!

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=48218

^^ That's freaky!

After re-reading this article, I genuinely believe that Ford have not yet made a decision about WHAT TO REPLACE THE FALCON WITH but I believe the decision has been made regarding WHERE that replacement will be made - and it's not Broadmeadows.

The business conditions in Australia have deteriorated so rapidly and to such an extent over the last 2 years that any original prospect of continuing to manufacture locally has been tossed out the window; the relentlessly high AUD has made any potential future exports of a global model near impossible, electricity costs are now among the highest in the world (and will soon be the highest according to many) and, as mentioned, there is a deep unfavorable rift between productivity and wages.

I also saw a video recently where Mulally was interviewed and said that if it is not competitive to manufacture in the US, then that work "should" be done somewhere else - if he's saying that about the Yanks then God help Australia!

[In Focus]

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/546...2016-pipe-down

I wonder if Ford have grounds for legal action??

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by In Focus

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/546...2016-pipe-down

I wonder if Ford have grounds for legal action??

brilliant article.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by In Focus

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/546...2016-pipe-down

I wonder if Ford have grounds for legal action??

bout time something was said about all the garbage certain people have said about ford.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

when has a big company like ford ever come out and sad what theyre plans are 4-5 years in the future?
in this current economic climate we are lucky theyre saying what they are doing until 2016

Just a couple Years back, then CEO of Lotus Danny Bahar revealed a plan of five new models over five years. (it never happened... but let's move on)

I realise Ford is guaranteeing 4 more years. But when you put down a definitive date (like 2016) for an 'at least till', it means the music could stop, party end and everyone go home.

Should never ever use "at-least-tills'". It puts a timer on the model and ages the product even before release. Logic suggests the only reason to stop is because something better will come out, or the sending of that kind of message. "I'll wait till 2016 when the next Falcon comes out...", says the punter - But could very well be a large departure to a large, bland, econobox.

I'm just saying...

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by In Focus

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/546...2016-pipe-down

I wonder if Ford have grounds for legal action??

I would be interested to know Ford PR's thoughts on that article.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by In Focus

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/546...2016-pipe-down

I wonder if Ford have grounds for legal action??

Yeah baby ... love it. Good article.

[RASER]

Anyway, now its time to figure what they are going to import.

NOT interested in a Ranger, the F150 would HAVE to be on the line up, not at a silly price either, $29,990 + ORC

The problem with the Falcon [more than anything else] it just got to expensive, Ford should be cheered that they have been still able to make sales of them

The mid $30k Peugeot 508 for one kills it, modern, sleek, quality, frugal etc.

The Falcon is a vehicle of the previous generation, move on!

[The Snout]

Originally Posted by In Focus

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/546...2016-pipe-down

I wonder if Ford have grounds for legal action??

He speaks the truth. But the article is like p*ssing on a bushfire to save your house.

It seems The Motor Report is more interested in defending Ford than Ford are.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by RASER

Anyway, now its time to figure what they are going to import.

NOT interested in a Ranger, the F150 would HAVE to be on the line up, not at a silly price either, $29,990 + ORC

The problem with the Falcon [more than anything else] it just got to expensive, Ford should be cheered that they have been still able to make sales of them

The mid $30k Peugeot 508 for one kills it, modern, sleek, quality, frugal etc.

The Falcon is a vehicle of the previous generation, move on!

What a surprise, Razor chiming in with his comments about how crap the Falcon and Ranger are, and how the f-150 needs to be sold here for a profit busting price of 30k...

[madmelon]

This was on the Ford Falcon Facebook page on 22Jun12.

Ford fans, we’ve had a lot of questions on our page regarding our marketing approach, particularly as it relates to Falcon. You’ve seen new news from us on EcoBoost, our Cane Toad video and recently seen ads that feature the Falcon and Falcon Ute. Now, we’d like the opportunity to take you a step further and provide you with more information about our overall marketing strategies by inviting you to an exclusive in-person presentation with our General Marketing Manager, David Katic. Due to the confidential nature of David's presentation, we can’t share too much on our Facebook page, but this presentation will allow you, our fans, to get the inside story. The events will take place on 15th August in Sydney and 16th August in Melbourne. We have a very limited number of spaces available for this unique opportunity, so if you're interested and would like to find out more, please email us at social.fordaustralia@gmail.com

This is probably booked out now but those of you interested should contact them and see if there are any positions available. I am attending the Sydney presentation, unless I get sent to China by work...

[csv8]

Originally Posted by RASER

Anyway, now its time to figure what they are going to import.

NOT interested in a Ranger, the F150 would HAVE to be on the line up, not at a silly price either, $29,990 + ORC

The problem with the Falcon [more than anything else] it just got to expensive, Ford should be cheered that they have been still able to make sales of them

The mid $30k Peugeot 508 for one kills it, modern, sleek, quality, frugal etc.

The Falcon is a vehicle of the previous generation, move on!

As is Renault Latitude, comes in diesel,too!!

[I6DOHC]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

FALCON 2012?

We should run a forum competition, make a Falcon ad, the best three win some prize money, then its up to everyone here with a Facebook/Twitter/Google+ account to spread the video across the internet to their friends and so on so fourth.

I'm with you Big Damo. It's not a bad idea and have thought the same thing myself. I don't have too many media skills, but I'd give it a go. Anything to get some positive vibes back around the falcon and to at least try and save it for the longer term.

I remember back to the original BA advertising, from the drip feed web based stuff and then culminating in that ripper of an add shot in NZ of the BA XR6 Turbo slinging through the bends and along the straights. That was a hell of an add campaign (in my opinion) and was a contributing factor to me looking at and ultimately buying a BA XR6 Turbo.

Have thought that something similar done today with an FG turbo, might just inspire a new generation to at least take a look at a falcon.

I know having just bought an FG XR6 Turbo, it absolutely runs rings around my BA. With 6speed auto, 270kw, 550nm torque, brilliant highway economy, interior space to burn, cavernous boot, comfortable seating and driving dynamics/comfort second to none it's class ....so many things you can convey to the buying public.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by RASER

Anyway, now its time to figure what they are going to import.

NOT interested in a Ranger, the F150 would HAVE to be on the line up, not at a silly price either, $29,990 + ORC

tell him he's dreamin............

[EB#]

Originally Posted by in_xcess

....It's hippies in Byron Bay... waa, waa, waaa.

No more hippies in Byron.......
All priced out of the rental market years ago!

[robbo/region15]

Doom & gloom,media wide,regularly now.We as a T1 supplier to the big 3,are very busy ,employing more casual labour ,we are that busy!!!Anything i see in the media regarding FOA,whatever will happen will.But this article was food for thought......

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/...nt_Gottliebsen

[turbodewd]

Hopefully the Falcon gets the 3.5L V6 from the Taurus. While im quite happy with the 4.0L I6 from Geelong, I think the iron block is holding the Falcon back a bit.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by turbodewd

Hopefully the Falcon gets the 3.5L V6 from the Taurus. While im quite happy with the 4.0L I6 from Geelong, I think the iron block is holding the Falcon back a bit.

A V8 would be better..

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by turbodewd

Hopefully the Falcon gets the 3.5L V6 from the Taurus. While im quite happy with the 4.0L I6 from Geelong, I think the iron block is holding the Falcon back a bit.

Please explain how the iron block is holding back the Falcon. Beside the weight penalty, the I6 gives the much newer Holden V6 a run for its money.